Periodontal and microbiologic evaluation of 2 methods of archwire ligation: ligature wires and elastomeric rings.
BACKGROUND
Prophylactic programs to prevent dental biofilm accumulation must be implemented to minimize the risk for periodontal diseases in orthodontic patients. Therefore, we assessed the possible periodontal and microbiologic changes resulting from the use of 2 methods of orthodontic archwire ligation: elastomeric rings and steel ligatures.


METHODS
The following parameters were measured: plaque index, gingival bleeding index, probing depth, and biofilm samples from the maxillary second premolars and the mandibular lateral incisors were evaluated in 14 subjects without clinical signs of gingival inflammation before orthodontic appliance placement and after 6 months of treatment. Each orthodontic arch was fixed with elastomeric rings on 1 side of the midline, and steel ligatures were used on the opposite side. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to detect Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, and P nigrescens.


RESULTS
The elastomeric rings were associated with a higher score for plaque index and bleeding than steel ligatures, as well as many positive sites of T forsythia and P nigrescens (P <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Elastomeric rings favored these 2 periodontopathogens and harmed gingival conditions.
Alves de Souza
Ricardo
R
Department of Orthodontics, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. ricardoalves@fop.unicamp.br
Borges de Araújo Magnani
Maria Beatriz
MB
Nouer
Darcy Flávio
DF
Oliveira da Silva
Clevérson
C
Klein
Marlise Inêz
MI
Sallum
Enilson Antonio
EA
Gonçalves
Reginaldo Bruno
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018441:Biofilms; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D020724:Elastomers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009969:Orthodontic Wires / Q000382:microbiology*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D045242:Prevotella nigrescens / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013193:Stainless Steel; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014070:Tooth / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D020724:Elastomers; D013193:Stainless Steel